“They have a compassionate, ministerial approach. They develop the talents of the people they have to get the best possible performance. But it’s not a concert choir; it’s a liturgical choir — it’s ministry. They don’t choose music based on performance. They are focused on the congregation and its participation in the singing, in the prayer.”
The choir performed sixteen songs from their repetoir -- mostly songs written by Director Steven C. Warner -- and they sang several encore songs. I was most amazed by the reaction from the crowd. After giving one standing ovation at the end of the concert, the congregation stayed in their seats after the second and third encore as it to say, "We're not ready to leave yet; please keep singing."
There was no charge for the performance. Host families graciously opened their homes to choir members on Monday evening, and parishoners brought food for a potluck meal that evening. Any additional expenses are covered by sales of the Folk Choir's compact discs. (You can buy copies directly from the publisher, World Library Publications; they make great gifts.) The Folk Choir's music is also on iTunes. The choir also asked for donations for the mission of the Congregation of Holy Cross in Haiti.
The Pastor of Precious Blood, Fr. Bill O'Donnell, used the occasion to announce that planning has begun to bring a Cristo Rey High School to Dayton. Essentially, this is a high school that caters directly to students from poor families who cannot pay for it. The students go to school from early morning until five or six at night four days a week, and then go to work at companies on one day a week. The students' work covers approximately 75% of the cost of their education.
Thank you to all of the host families -- some of you had six students -- thank you, thank you, thank you. Thanks also to Precious Blood Parish, especially Skip Ekhart, Coordinator of Parish Life at Precious Blood, as well as Fr. Bill O'Donnell.
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